We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chante’l Armstrong a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Chante’l, thanks for joining us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later
If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t change the timing of when I started Armstrong To The Rescue. I believe everything happened when it was supposed to. I officially launched the business in February 2024, but the vision for it had been in my heart long before that.
At the time, I was deeply immersed in my career in training and development, specifically in the healthcare and therapy sector. I was already leading teams, implementing training programs, and developing onboarding structures, so the foundation for what I do now with Armstrong To The Rescue was already being laid. However, I had also spent years advocating for community safety, social & economic empowerment, and emergency preparedness, so it felt like a natural transition to take that experience and channel it into a business that directly serves those needs.
If I had started sooner, I think I would have lacked some of the connections, leadership experience, and strategic insight that I’ve gained over the years. My background in training and development has been instrumental in shaping the way I structure our CPR & First-Aid programs, build partnerships, and ensure quality instruction. On the other hand, if I had started later, I might have been further along in my career or had even more financial resources, but I also think I would have missed out on some of the urgent community needs that I was able to address immediately upon launching.
Looking back, I truly believe I started at the right time. The world, especially post-pandemic, has emphasized the importance of emergency preparedness and community-based safety initiatives. Had I waited, I may not have been able to provide these resources to people when they needed them most. I’m grateful for the journey, and I trust the timing of it all.
Chante’l, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Absolutely! My name is Chante’l Armstrong, and I am the Founder and Executive Training Director of Armstrong To The Rescue, a social enterprise dedicated to equipping individuals with lifesaving CPR and First-Aid skills and ensuring that families in underserved communities have access to first-aid kits and emergency preparedness resources.
My journey into this field is deeply rooted in community advocacy, training & development, and a passion for equipping others with essential life skills. I have an extensive background in training & development and instructional design in the healthcare and therapy sector, where I’ve worked for years developing training & onboarding programs and employee training structures. Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed firsthand how critical, yet often overlooked, emergency response knowledge is in everyday life; not just in professional healthcare settings but in our communities, homes, and schools.
Growing up, I was always engaged in community service, youth advocacy, and leadership. Over time, I realized there was a gap in CPR and First-Aid training for young people and families, particularly in underrepresented communities. Many families don’t have basic emergency supplies, and youth are often not trained on how to react in critical situations. With that realization, I knew I had to step in and create something that would bridge that gap; thus, Armstrong To The Rescue was born in February 2024.
At Armstrong To The Rescue, we provide certified CPR & First-Aid Training for individuals, businesses, and organizations, ensuring that everyone has the skills needed to respond effectively in emergencies. To make learning more accessible, we offer both online and in-person training options, allowing participants to choose the format that best fits their needs. In addition to training, we supply First-Aid and emergency preparedness kits, ensuring that families have the essential tools needed to handle medical emergencies at home or on the go. Committed to making safety education widely available, we also lead community initiatives to provide free or low-cost training and first-aid kits to underserved communities, reinforcing our mission to empower and protect as many people as possible.
At Armstrong To The Rescue, we address several critical issues related to emergency preparedness and response. One of the biggest challenges we solve is the lack of lifesaving knowledge, as many people are unsure of how to react in an emergency. Our training ensures that individuals feel confident and capable when facing crisis situations, empowering them with the skills needed to take immediate action. Additionally, we combat limited access to CPR & First-Aid training by making our programs mobile and community-focused, ensuring that businesses, organizations, and individuals can receive proper training. Beyond education, we tackle emergency preparedness gaps by providing affordable, fully stocked first-aid kits and/or mini first-aid kits, ensuring that families are equipped with essential medical supplies to handle emergencies effectively. Through our services, we are bridging the gap in emergency response training and resources, making lifesaving skills and preparedness more accessible to all.
What sets Armstrong To The Rescue apart is our unwavering commitment to community, accessibility, and purpose-driven leadership. Our community-focused approach ensures that a portion of our proceeds is reinvested back into the communities we serve, allowing families who may not have the financial means to afford training or emergency kits to still receive these lifesaving resources. We also prioritize convenience and flexibility by offering a variety of learning options, including online courses, on-site corporate training, and community workshops, ensuring that individuals and organizations can access training in a way that best suits their needs. At the heart of it all is passion and purpose-driven leadership. I am personally dedicated to making sure that every person who trains with us walks away not just with knowledge, but with the confidence and empowerment to save a life when it matters most.
I’m incredibly proud of the impact we’re making. Whether it’s a first-time employee at their new job learning CPR for the first time or a family receiving a much-needed emergency kit, every class we teach means there’s one more person in the world who is prepared to save a life. Seeing individuals gain the confidence and skills to respond in emergencies is what drives our mission forward. Beyond training, I’m also proud of our expansion efforts, as we work to bring Armstrong To The Rescue to even more communities. We are now growing beyond our initial reach and expanding to three additional cities: Valdosta, Augusta, GA, and Detroit, MI, ensuring that more people have access to the lifesaving knowledge and resources they need to protect themselves and their loved ones.
If you’re reading this, I want you to know that CPR and First-Aid training isn’t just for medical professionals, it’s for EVERYONE. Emergencies don’t wait for a doctor to arrive. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, coach, or young person, YOU can make a difference in an emergency. At Armstrong To The Rescue, we make learning fun, accessible, and impactful, because at the end of the day, our mission is simple: to save lives and prepare communities.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Books That Have Shaped My Thinking:
“Influence” by Robert B. Cialdini – This book has been instrumental in helping me understand the psychology of persuasion and leadership, which is essential in business, training, and community engagement.
“People Work” by Kevin Burns – This book reinforced the importance of human connection and effective communication in leadership, which has helped me create stronger relationships with my team and the communities we serve.
“Homecoming” by Thema Bryant, PhD. – As someone deeply committed to empowerment and service, this book helped me understand how healing and self-awareness play a role in leadership and community impact.
“Your Purpose Is Calling” & “Relational Intelligence” by Dharius Daniels – As my mentor and pastor at Change Church, Dharius Daniels’ teachings have shaped my approach to purpose-driven leadership and building meaningful, strategic relationships that align with my mission.
“Grit” by Angela Duckworth – This book reinforced my belief that passion and perseverance matter more than talent alone. It’s been a guiding principle in both my personal journey and the way I train and inspire others.
“The 5 Second Rule” by Mel Robbins – Robbins’ concept of taking immediate action has helped me overcome self-doubt, make confident decisions, and lead with boldness in growing my business.
“Why Motivating People Doesn’t Work… and What Does” by Susan Fowler – A game-changer in how I approach team motivation, employee development, and leadership strategies.
“Emotional Intelligence for the Modern Leader” by Christopher D. Connors – This book has helped me refine my ability to lead with empathy, resilience, and emotional intelligence, especially when mentoring and training others.
“The Art of Quiet Influence” by Jocelyn Davis – I deeply resonate with the idea that influence doesn’t have to be loud or forceful—it can be intentional, strategic, and purpose-driven.
“Radical Candor” by Kim Scott – This book reinforced the importance of clear, direct, yet compassionate communication in leadership. It’s helped me build stronger relationships with my team by balancing honest feedback with genuine care, ensuring that growth and accountability are always at the forefront.Books That Have Shaped My Thinking:
“Influence” by Robert B. Cialdini – This book has been instrumental in helping me understand the psychology of persuasion and leadership, which is essential in business, training, and community engagement.
“People Work” by Kevin Burns – This book reinforced the importance of human connection and effective communication in leadership, which has helped me create stronger relationships with my team and the communities we serve.
“Homecoming” by Thema Bryant, PhD. – As someone deeply committed to empowerment and service, this book helped me understand how healing and self-awareness play a role in leadership and community impact.
“Your Purpose Is Calling” & “Relational Intelligence” by Dharius Daniels – As my mentor and pastor at Change Church, Dharius Daniels’ teachings have shaped my approach to purpose-driven leadership and building meaningful, strategic relationships that align with my mission.
“Grit” by Angela Duckworth – This book reinforced my belief that passion and perseverance matter more than talent alone. It’s been a guiding principle in both my personal journey and the way I train and inspire others.
“The 5 Second Rule” by Mel Robbins – Robbins’ concept of taking immediate action has helped me overcome self-doubt, make confident decisions, and lead with boldness in growing my business.
“Why Motivating People Doesn’t Work… and What Does” by Susan Fowler – A game-changer in how I approach team motivation, employee development, and leadership strategies.
“Emotional Intelligence for the Modern Leader” by Christopher D. Connors – This book has helped me refine my ability to lead with empathy, resilience, and emotional intelligence, especially when mentoring and training others.
“The Art of Quiet Influence” by Jocelyn Davis – I deeply resonate with the idea that influence doesn’t have to be loud or forceful—it can be intentional, strategic, and purpose-driven.
“Radical Candor” by Kim Scott – This book reinforced the importance of clear, direct, yet compassionate communication in leadership. It’s helped me build stronger relationships with my team by balancing honest feedback with genuine care, ensuring that growth and accountability are always at the forefront.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
One of the biggest pivots in my life and one that tested my resilience, faith, and sense of self-worth was transitioning from my career in training and development to launching Armstrong To The Rescue. It wasn’t a pivot I saw coming, but looking back, it was the push I needed to fully step into my purpose.
For years, I poured my heart into creating, developing, and implementing initiative programs that helped organizations thrive. I was the go-to person for building onboarding processes, structuring employee development programs, and ensuring that teams had the tools they needed to succeed. I was growing in my role, leading initiatives, and making significant, measurable impacts; not just in the success of employees but in the overall advancement of the company. I was entrusted with the responsibility of shaping the learning and development culture within the organization, and I gave it my all.
But then, as so often happens when you pour everything into growing something for someone else, the glass cliff appeared. I had spent years developing programs, designing structures, and creating systems that others relied on, only to suddenly no longer be needed for the very work I had built. The shift was abrupt, and the emotional distress and relief that followed was overwhelming. How could something I had given so much to so easily discard me? How do you reconcile the weight of your contributions with the reality that organizations move on, even when you were instrumental in their growth?
At first, I grieved. I questioned my value, my abilities, and whether the work I had done even mattered. But in the midst of that storm, I was reminded of my brilliance— not by external validation, but by deep reflection and the unwavering support of my tribe. I had been brilliant for other organizations, creating impact, solving problems, and designing solutions that others benefited from. And in that moment, I realized: It was time for me to be brilliant for myself. It was time to take everything I had learned, every skill I had developed, every ounce of my talent, and pour it into building something of my own. Something that reflected my values, my mission, and my legacy.
That’s when Armstrong To The Rescue was born. A business not just rooted in training and development, but in empowerment, community impact, and life-saving education. Instead of building systems for others to benefit from without acknowledgment, I began building something that would serve my people, my community, and future generations.
Looking back, the pivot wasn’t just necessary, it was destined. It was a painful but purposeful redirection that led me to walk fully in my calling. Now, as I expand Armstrong To The Rescue to multiple cities and impact lives in ways I never imagined, I carry with me the lesson that sometimes, the glass cliff isn’t a fall, it’s the platform from which you learn to fly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.armstrongtotherescue.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/armstrongtotherescue
Image Credits
Personal Photo (Headshot Photo)- Fashion Riot Photography